+ (CD)

Loved every song on this album! As always

Like a British Jason Mraz, Ed Sheeran shows such diverse understanding of indie rock and current mainstream pop on his album `+', a beautiful collection of intelligent lyrics, catchy beats and overall impactful music. The fact that Sheeran can sooth with his vocals and then entice with significant rhythm is impressive to say the least. Jumping from the bouncy flow of `Grade 8' right into the smoky earnestness of `Wake Me Up' (a brilliant track that calls to mind the marvelous Kate Nash) is flawless.He's got this music thing down.I may not review a lot of music on here (I need to get back into that) but I do listen to a lot of it, and I have to say that `+' is certainly one of the best albums of 2012. Not only that, it may be one of the best albums I own at this moment. It is one of the most well rounded albums I've ever heard, containing so many layers of musicality and style that make it effortlessly entertaining and accessible. I never want to stop listening to it.If you are a fan of his big hit `The A Team' then you'll really appreciate songs like `Lego House', `The City', `Grade 8' and `Drunk', songs that really play up the playful tones that Sheeran brings to his breed of `Songwriter Pop'. `Grade 8' is one of my favorite tracks on the album, serving up an edgy spunk that permeates each facet of the track (right down to the soulful musicality that reminds me a bit of Craig David) and that chorus is not only catchy as all get out but fun to boot. `Drunk' pulls from those same qualities with a more subdued essence. The way he plays with lyrics is very much like Jason Mraz, before he tried so hard to become John Mayer. I just fell in love with `Lego House' immediately, that chorus is just PERFECTION! The swells are so emotionally intoxicating, and the way his voice reaches so many levels is just flawless. `The City' isn't really my favorite here, but it has a fun factor to it and reminds me of Owl City, so it'll certainly have some fans.`U.N.I' and `You Need Me, I Don't Need You' give Ed a chance to try his hand at rap (sort of), and he pulls it off enough to not embarrass himself (but this isn't his forte). `U.N.I.' is better than `You Need Me, I Don't Need You' (the one song where I kind of hate the chorus). `U.N.I.' has some great lyrical content and a greatly balanced chorus that helps elevate the song and add a tenderness that makes it more impactful and relevant.`Wake Me Up', `This', `Kiss Me' and the closing track `Give Me Love' all fall into a beautiful wheelhouse of perfected Singer/Songwriter ballads. As I mentioned, `Wake Me Up' reminds me a tad of Kate Nash, very talk/sing and wordy (storytelling). `This' has breathy qualities that show vulnerability, while the pleading in `Kiss Me' and `Give Me Love' reach out with such earnestness and near aggressiveness that you can't help but be swayed by his every word.And then there is `Small Bump' which leaves me in a puddle of tears with every listen. Singing about the death of a child is SO HARD TO PULL OFF. The subject alone is so hard to talk about, let alone sing about. The hardest thing about this song is that it doesn't feel like that kind of song until the very end. Listening to the song, it is so touching and heartfelt and honestly, I was crying because of how sweet and sincere it was. I was sitting there listening to lyrics like "if you're not inside me, I'll put my future in you" and "you are my one and only, and you can wrap your fingers round my thumb and hold me tight" and "you're just a small bump I know, you'll grow into your skin", thinking about my kids and bawling like a baby and then the final words come ("you were just a small bump unborn for four months then torn from life...maybe you were needed up there but we're still unaware as why") and I lost it. Seriously, I'm tearing up just writing about it.UGH!So, in the end, this album is amazing and I can't recommend it enough. I am so happy that Sheeran is getting play here in the States. Here's to hoping that he only grows from here!

After watching his documentary on Disney, I purchased all of his CD’s! Love his music!

Not his best CD but we are huge fans and going to his concert in August the whole family!

Absolutely fabulous CD. Extra songs/tracks included. Ed's style(s) of folk, alternative, R&B, pop, all kinds of different songs and beats ( slow and fast songs) is soooo eclectic and really amazing.His songs are enough to make you cry, from the lyrics alone. Combine the home-grown beautiful lyrics with his beautiful guitar playing and voice and you will be enthralled. Well, I am. LOL. Haven't as of today heard any other CD's by him yet, but I sampled this one before I bought it and knew it was going to be really nice. Very impressive. There are few pop-ish songs that are upbeat and well done, and of course several guitar songs with just him and the guitar where his words are crystal clear and very simple with really good melodies... Pretty much all love songs in some way or another, but each different. Good job on variety for sure.He really has been influenced by so many different genres, and it shows. Amazing, especially for his age. Cant wait to hear more. You won't regret it. This was the only CD that had all of the songs I was looking for, including the bonus tracks. I found that, no matter what the seller(S) advertised, if the CD cover didn't SAY "bonus tracks included" on it, you will not get the full CD to include bonus songs.(6?) Some sellers were deceiving, FYI. If you don't care about getting the extra songs, go for the regular, easier to find CD titled "plus". It is the same fabulous CD, minus a few bonus tracks, obviously. Just a tid-bit. :)

Probably one of Mr Sheeran’s most defining album as a musician. Likable guy but his voice takes some getting use to as does his music. After listening to his works his songs have a common rhythm and sound to them. Pleasing enough in a playlist but a tad annoying played as an entire album.

My first exposure to Ed Sheeran other than hearing him on XM radio. It's mostly mellow music, with a moderate amount of soft rap style thrown in here and there (which I generally don't care for as much). The 1st track, The A Team, grabbed me immediately and probably my favorite track on the disc, but the starting 4 tracks are all very good. Lego House is catchy & slightly more upbeat, also a very good song, with Small Bump and Kiss Me being among the strongest softer tunes. A definite uniqueness to the lyrics and delivery by this guy, sometimes evenly paced and other parts more rapid-fire style. Most of the melodies are not overly catchy, but melodic enough to work well. Unlike some other artists from the UK over the years whose singing style disguises much of their native accent, no mistaking where this guy hails from, as his prominent accent is a key unique quality to his singing. I personally would rate 7 of the 12 tracks as above average, tunes I REALLY like, with only a couple I could do without, so a very strong percentage compared to many CDs I purchase. He's definitely on my "watch" list to look forward to future material from him.

I’ve always loved “The A Team” and “Lego House,” which were the main reasons I bought this cd in the first place, along with him being a great artist and down to earth guy. I think I loved or at least really really liked every single song. The song that stood out the most to me was “Give Me Love” as it was over 8 minutes and carried lots of extreme emotions. Super happy with my purchase, however there were some shipping issues with Amazon. Customer service was great and I received a replacement for the cd that arrived broken.

just love him

I was late to catch on. Don't you be too.

cet artiste a une voix très agréable et beaucoup de talent ! je recommande ce cd ! n hésitez pas a l acheter !

Brilliant album, good spread of different styles.Album arrived cellophane wrapped, well protected in Amazon card packaging. Box fresh.

Von Ed Sheeran kann man auch nichts schlechtes erwarten! Auch 12 Jahre später läuft es noch rauf und runter :-)